Corner member for a supportive frame assembly

ABSTRACT

A frame corner member includes an elongated hollow extrusion having a central corner portion and two leg portions extending from the central portion. Each leg portion includes an inner side wall spaced from and parallel to an outer side wall, and merging with the central portion. An outer end wall joins the inner and outer side walls, which each include an inner surface facing the inner surface of the other side wall. An opening through the outer end wall defines a space between the inner and outer side walls adjacent one end of the extrusion for receiving one end of one of frame side members and end members. At least one of the inner surfaces in the space has discrete surface features adapted to grip and retain the one end of one of the side members and end members in the space when received through the opening.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/188,767, filed Nov. 13, 2018, which claims the benefit of priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/585,099, filed Nov. 13,2017, the content of both of which are incorporated by reference hereinin their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to structurally supportive frames. Inparticular, it relates to corner members for a physical exerciseapparatus frame such as a reformer.

State of the Art

Exercise machines such as reformers utilized in the performance ofphysical exercises originated by Joseph Pilates include supportiveframes. The frames typically include side members and end memberscoupled together to form a rectangular frame to support and elevate theremainder of the reformer above a surface such as a floor.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a known reformer exercise apparatus 100.The reformer exercise apparatus 100 includes a rectangular frame 102that provides structural support for various other constituent parts ofthe reformer exercise apparatus 100 (also referred to herein simply as a“reformer”). The frame 102 includes a head end member 104 positioned atone end of the reformer 100. The frame 102 also includes a foot endmember 106 positioned at an end of the reformer 100 that is opposite thehead end member 104. The head 104 and foot 106 end members of the frame102 join two parallel side members 110 and typically form a leg 108 ateach corner.

The reformer 100 also includes a carriage 114. The carriage 114 ispositioned between the side members 110 of the frame 102 for movementbetween the head 104 and foot 106 end members of the frame 102 on trackscarried by and between the side members 110. The carriage 114 includesshoulder stops 116 and the carriage 114 accommodates the weight of auser of the reformer 100. For example, the user of the reformer 100 maylie upon the carriage 114 with his or her feet positioned against a footbar 118 near the foot end member 106 and his or her head positionedbetween the shoulder stops 116 and oriented toward the head end member104. Through an alternating pushing force exerted upon the foot bar 118,the carriage 114 may be alternately moved toward and away from the footend member 106.

The corners of the frame 102 require relatively expensive wood joinerytechniques to form solid and strong joints such that the frame 102remains rigid and square at all times. Such techniques are generallylabor intensive and expensive to implement. Therefore a more costeffective approach to construction of a reformer frame corner structureis needed.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An exemplary corner member for use in forming a frame of a reformer inaccordance with the present disclosure includes an elongated hollow,tubular metal or rigid plastic extrusion having a central axis and an Lshaped transverse cross section. This extrusion has a central cornerportion and two leg portions extending from the central portion forminga right angle with respect to the central corner portion. The extrusionis preferably formed from a metal such as aluminum or an alloy ofaluminum, although a plastic extrusion could also be used if such aplastic has sufficient rigidity characteristics.

Each leg portion includes an inner side wall spaced from an outer sidewall parallel to the inner side wall. The inner side wall and the outerside wall merge with the central portion, and an outer end wall joinsthe inner and outer side walls of each leg portion. The inner and outerside walls each have an inner surface facing the inner surface of theother side wall, and the outer end wall includes an opening therethroughdefining a space between the inner and outer side walls adjacent one endof the extrusion for receiving one end of one of the frame side membersand frame end members.

At least one and preferably both of the inner surfaces of the side wallsof the corner member has discrete surface features in the defined spaceadapted to grip and retain one end of one of the side members or endmembers in the space when received through the opening.

At least one and preferably both of the two leg portions of the cornermember has at least one pair of holes defined through the inner andouter side walls spaced from the opening and passing through thediscrete surface features. The holes receive a fastener therethrough tofasten the one end of one of the side members or end members in thespace within the corner member. The surface features preferably includea plurality of ribs extending along the surface of the leg portionacross the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be better understood and objects, other than thoseset forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description. Such description makes reference to theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional reformer exerciseapparatus;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a reformer frame in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure for a reformer exercise apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a separate exploded perspective view of one of the cornermembers of the frame shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the corner member shown in FIG. 3 with sideand end members ready for insertion into the corner member;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial plan view of the circled part shown inFIG. 4 of the outer side wall of the corner member to show the surfacefeatures.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the corner member shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a more thorough disclosure. It will be apparent,however, to one skilled in the art that the art disclosed may bepracticed without these specific details. In some instances, well-knownfeatures may have not been described in detail so as not to obscure theart disclosed.

FIG. 2 is a separate perspective view of a reformer frame 202 inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Theframe 202 includes four corner members 204 each having a longitudinalaxis 336. The frame 202 has a head end member 205 at one end of theframe 202 and a foot end member 206 at an opposite end of the frame 202.The frame 202 also includes two side members 208. Each of the head andfoot end members 205 and 206 has opposite ends 210. Similarly, each sidemember 208 has opposite ends 212.

Ends 210 of the head end member 205 are each coupled to a corner member204 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. Similarly, the ends 210 of thefoot end member 206 are each coupled to another corner member 204. Thehead and foot end members 205 and 206 are coupled to side member ends212 of the side members 208 by way of the corner members 204 instead ofbeing coupled directly to one another (e.g., as they are in theconventional reformer 100 shown in FIG. 1).

The bottom ends of the corner members 204 each contact a typically flatsurface, such as a floor 112, thereby providing structural support forand elevating the rectangular portion of the frame 202 above the floor112. It is to be understood however, that should the floor 112 not belevel, the length of each of the corner members 204 may be selected soas to compensate, i.e., position the upper rectangular shape of theframe 202 either level or at an angle of inclination desired by a user.For purposes of this disclosure, the floor 112 is assumed to beappropriately level.

FIG. 3 is a separate exploded perspective view of a corner member 204used in the frame 202. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the corner member 204.The corner member 204 is preferably an elongated, hollow, metalextrusion 310, preferably an extrusion made of aluminum or an aluminumalloy. The metal extrusion 310 includes a central corner portion 312.The metal extrusion 310 also includes two leg portions 314 extendingfrom the central corner portion 312 at a right angle therebetween.

Each leg portion 314 of the metal extrusion 310 includes an inner sidewall 316 and an outer side wall 318. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3and 4, the inner side wall 316 is spaced from the outer side wall 318.The outer side wall 318 is parallel to the inner side wall 316. Theinner side wall 316 and the outer side wall 318 merge with the cornerportion 312.

An outer part of this corner portion 312 has a circular tubular crosssection such that outer side wall 318 of each leg portion 314tangentially merges with the corner portion 312. Each leg portion 314 ofthe metal extrusion 310 also includes an outer end wall 320 joining theinner side wall 316 and the outer side wall 318. The outer end wall 320of each leg portion 314 is positioned distal the corner portion 312.Each of the two leg portions 314 of the metal extrusion 310 includes acorner wall 322 joining the inner side wall 316 and the outer side wall318. The corner wall 322 of each leg portion 314 forms an inner part ofthe central corner portion 312. The corner wall 322 has a straightportion and a curved portion forming the circular tubular portion ofcorner portion 312. The corner wall 322 provides additional structuralsupport to the corner member 204 metal extrusion 310 during, forexample, use and/or storage of the frame 202.

The inner side wall 316 and the outer side wall 318 of each leg portion314 have inner surfaces 324 facing the other side wall (316, 318). Themetal extrusion 310 also includes an opening 326 defined through theouter end wall 320. The opening 326 defines a space 328 between theinner side wall 316 and the outer side wall 318 near the upper end 330of the extrusion 310.

As shown in FIG. 3, at least one of the inner surfaces 324 of at leastone of the two leg portions 314 includes discrete surface features 334.In the illustrated embodiment, both of the inner surfaces 324 of bothleg portions 314 include the discrete surface features 334. The surfacefeatures 334 are preferably formed into the metal extrusion 310integrally and contemporaneously with as part of the extrusion processused for manufacturing the corner member 204. As such, the surfacefeatures 334 extend along the entire length (e.g., between the upperextrusion end 330 and bottom lower extrusion end 332 preferably parallelto a longitudinal axis 336 of the metal extrusion 310. In an alternativeembodiment (not shown), the surface features 334 are not integrallyformed during the extrusion process, but rather may be formed in and/orplaced upon at least a portion of the inner surface(s) 324 after themetal extrusion 310 is manufactured. In such other embodiments, thesurface features 334 either extend along the entire length of the metalextrusion 310 inner surface(s) 324 or they are present only along aportion or along portions of that length.

The metal extrusion 310 preferably includes at least one screw race 338typically for engaging fasteners to attach a separate cap 214, 216 orother separate element. In the extrusion process for manufacturing thecorner member 204 metal extrusion 310, at least one screw race 338 maybe formed in at least one of the corner wall 322, the outer end wall320, the inner side wall 316, the outer side wall 318, and the cornerportion 312 of at least one of the two leg portions 314. The screwrace(s) 338 may extend along the entire length of the metal extrusion310. The screw race(s) 338 formed in the interior of the metal extrusion310 of the corner member 204 and are thus not externally visible whenthe frame 202 is assembled and caps 214 and 216 are installed.

At least one of the two leg portions 314 of the metal extrusion 310includes at least one pair of holes 340 (preferably two pairs of holes340) defined through the inner and outer side walls 316 and 318. Each ofthe two holes 340 of the pair of holes 340 is aligned cross-wise acrossthe respective leg portion 314 along a transverse axis 342. Thetransverse axis 342 is parallel to an x-axis and is also perpendicularto both a y-axis and a z-axis of the metal extrusion 310, as shown inFIG. 3. Thus, each of the two holes 340 of the pair of holes 340 ispreferably positioned equidistant from both of the first and second ends330 and 332, as well as from the outer end wall 320 of the respectiveleg portion 314 through which the two holes 340 are defined.

The opening 326 in the illustrated embodiment is sized and shaped forreceiving one end (210, 212) of one of the side members 208 and endmembers (205, 206) in the space 328 between the side walls 316 and 318of the metal extrusion 310. Preferably, the opening 326 is sized tosubstantially match a cross-sectional area 344 of the one end (210, 212)of one of the side members 208 and end members (205 and/or 206).Dimensionally matching the one end (210, 212) and the opening 326 inthis manner facilitates a tight fit of the one end (210, 212) into themetal extrusion 310 in preparation for further assembly steps of theframe 202. The end member end(s) 210 and/or the side member end(s) 212each preferably include a through-hole 346 predrilled through the end(s)(210, 212). In the illustrated embodiment, the through-hole 346 is boredthrough the member (e.g., the side member 208) along a center line 348.

During assembly of the frame 202, end member 210 and/or side member 212ends are inserted into the opening(s) 326 of the metal extrusion 310 andmay be butted up against wall 322. The at least one pair of holes 340are adapted to receive a fastener 352 therethrough to fasten the one end(210, 212) of one of the side members 208 and end members (205, 206) inthe space 328. In the illustrated embodiment, the holes 340 boredthrough the outer side wall 318 are square-shaped to accommodate theheads of carriage bolt-type fastener(s) 352.

The member end(s) (210 and/or 212) are inserted into the space(s) 328through the opening(s) 326 to the extent that the center line(s) 348 areaxially aligned with the transverse axes 342. Next, fastener(s) 352 areinserted and received into and through the pair of holes 340 and thethrough-hole 346. In the illustrated embodiment, a threaded end of thefastener 352 is first inserted into the hole 340 defined through theouter side wall 318, the fastener 352 is inserted further into thethrough-hole 346, and the threaded end of the fastener 352 exits fromthe hole 340 defined through the inner side wall 316. A washer 354 isnext fitted over the threaded end of the fastener 352, and then a nut356 is threaded onto the threaded end of the inserted fastener 352 andtightened, thus fastening and securing the member end(s) (210 and/or212) inserted through the opening(s) 326 into the space(s) 328.

The surface features 334 of the metal extrusion 310 grip and retain theend(s) (210, 212) inserted into the space(s) 328 when received throughthe opening(s) 326, and when inner side wall 316 and the outer side wall318 are squeezed together. The surface features 334 present on one ormore of the inner surface(s) 324 of the leg portion(s) 314 contact withthe side surfaces 358 of the end(s) (210, 212) upon their being insertedinto the space(s) 328 through the opening(s) 326. Tightening of the nut356 draws at least a portion of the inner side wall 316 and at least aportion of the outer side wall 318 toward one another, thereby applyinga clamping-like distributed force against the side surfaces 358 of theend(s) (210, 212) to securely retain the ends in the corner member 204.This clamping action facilitates a close contact and/or distributedsurface engagement, or bite, between the surface features 334 and theside surfaces 358 of inserted end(s) (210, 212). The resulting clampedcontact between the end(s) (210, 212) and the surface features 334resists a tendency of the end(s) (210, 212) to rotate under torquerelative to the corner member(s) 204 in the assembled frame 202.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the central corner portion 312 of the metalextrusion 310 also includes an inner connecting wall 402. In theillustrated embodiment, each of the two leg portions 314 includes anintersection point 404 between the inner side wall 316 and the cornerwall 322. The connecting wall 402 joins the two inner side walls 316 ofthe metal extrusion 310 and extends between the two intersection points404 thereof. The connecting wall 402 provides additional structuralsupport to the corner member 204 metal extrusion 310. Also, as shown inFIG. 4, the connecting wall 402 extends between the two intersectionpoints 404 at an angle 406 of about forty-five degrees (45°) withrespect to the inner side wall 316.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial plan view of a portion of the outer sidewall 318 having the surface features 334 and denoted as “5” in FIG. 4.The exemplary surface features 334 include a plurality of longitudinalribs 502 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis 336 along innersurface(s) 324 of the inner and outer side walls (316, 318) adjacent theopening 326 through the outer end wall 320. These ribs 502 may extendfully along the length of each of the leg portions 314 parallel to theaxis 336. These ribs 502 are formed during the process of extruding thecorner member 204 metal extrusion 310. Also, as described above inrelation to FIG. 3 with respect to the surface features 334 generally,the ribs 502 extend or project into the space(s) 328 away from the innersurface(s) 324. A distance by which the ribs 502 extend away from theinner surface(s) 324 is predetermined prior to extruding the cornermember 204 metal extrusion 310. In the illustrated embodiment, each ofthe plurality of ribs 502 extends away from the inner surface(s) 324into the space(s) 328 to substantially equal distances. Alternatively,at least one of the plurality of ribs 502 may extend into the space(s)328 to a different distance from the inner surface(s) 324 as compared toat least one other rib 502. Each of the plurality of ribs 502 includes atip 504. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the tip 504 is roundedto a predetermined radius 508. An arc defined by the rounded tip 504 istangent to two rib sides 506. In the illustrated embodiment, the two ribsides 506 of each of the plurality of ribs 502 form an angle 510 ofabout one-hundred-twenty degrees (120°) with respect to the innersurface(s) 324. These ribs 502 may alternatively have a saw toothprofile rather than a symmetrical sided profile as shown.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the corner member 204 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.In the illustrated embodiment, the metal extrusion 310 includes one ormore connecting wall holes 602 defined through the inner connecting wall402. The at least one connecting wall hole 602 also defines a portalthrough the connecting wall 402 from an exterior of the metal extrusion310 into the interior of the metal extrusion 310. One or more components(e.g., other than those described above with reference to the frame 202)may be fastened to, hooked upon, inserted into and/or otherwise affixedto the connecting wall hole(s) 602 of one or more of the corner member204 metal extrusions 310, such as an arm cord riser (not shown) or otheraccessory attachment. The vertically spaced connecting wall holes 602may be utilized to fasten an attachment such as an arm cord riser inplace. In this case, the bottom hole 602 receives a screw that acts as abottom stop for the riser tube. The upper holes may be threaded to eachreceive a set screw to hold the riser in place.

The above-described embodiments present only exemplary variations.Accordingly, all such alternatives, variations and modifications areintended to be encompassed within the scope or and as defined by thefollowing claims. Referring again to FIGS. 3-6, in one alternativeembodiment (not shown), one or both leg portions 314 of the metalextrusion 310 does not include the corner wall 322. In anotherembodiment (not shown), the opening 326 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 6) isdefined (e.g. cut) through a portion of the outer end wall 320 proximatethe second extrusion end 332, and the space 328 is thereby definedadjacent the second end 332. In yet another embodiment (not shown), themetal extrusion 310 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 6) includes at least twoopenings 326. In such other embodiments, for example, a first opening326 is cut through a portion of the outer end wall 320 proximate thefirst end 330 and a second opening 326 is cut through a portion of theouter end wall 320 proximate the second end 332, with first and secondspaces 328 thereby defined adjacent the first 330 and second 332 ends,respectively.

Although it is described herein as including a “metal” extrusion 310,corner member 204 may be formed of a variety of materials besides, or inaddition to, metals. For example, and without limitation, corner member204 may be formed of materials of construction including plastic, wood,carbon-fiber, graphite, rock, stone, cement, and composite materials.Some of these other materials may not be amendable to extrusion-basedprocesses and may instead require such manufacturing processes ascutting, molding, pressing, bending, and additive manufacturing, eitherinstead of or in addition to extrusion methods. Such alternativeprocesses for manufacturing of the corner member 204 will be appreciatedby persons having skill in the art.

In another embodiment (not shown), the cap 216 and/or base 214 piece(s)may be fastened to the first 330 and/or second 332 extrusion ends usingnon-threaded fastener(s) other than screws, bolts, and similar threadedfasteners. In such other embodiments, the screw race(s) 338 may notdevelop threads. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the holes 340defined (e.g., bored) through the outer side wall 318 are insteadcircularly-shaped and the fasteners 352 are standard bolts rather thancarriage bolt-type fasteners 352. In still another embodiment (notshown), the threaded end of the fastener 352 is first inserted into thehole 340 bored through the inner side wall 316, the fastener 352 isinserted further into the through-hole 346 toward the outer side wall318, and the threaded end of the fastener 352 exits from the hole 340bored through the outer side wall 318.

In another embodiment (not shown), the securement of the member(s) (205,206, 208) does not make use of the washer 354. In yet another embodiment(not shown), assembly of the frame 202 may not include use of thefastener 352 and/or the nut 356. In such other embodiments, the surfacefeatures 334 may be sized and shaped to extend or project by apredetermined distance into the space(s) 328 such that they impingeand/or inhibit a free passage of the end(s) (210, 212) into and out ofthe space(s) 328 through the opening(s) 326. In such other embodiments,insertion of the end(s) (210, 212) into the space(s) 328 through theopening(s) 326 may require a force to be applied (e.g., directedgenerally along a long axis 360 toward the corner portion 312) duringassembly of the frame 202. Such an applied force may be required toeffect movement of the ends (210, 212) through the opening(s) 326 andinto the space(s) 328 despite the ends (210, 212) contacting the surfacefeatures 334.

In other embodiments (not shown), the metal extrusion 310 may notinclude the inner connecting wall 402. In such other embodiments, thetwo corner walls 322 of the metal extrusion 310 join the two inner sidewalls 316 at a single intersection point 404. In still other embodiments(not shown), the connecting wall 402 extends between the twointersection points 404 at an angle with respect to the inner side wall316 that is greater than zero degrees (0°) and less than forty-fivedegrees (45°) angle. In yet another embodiment (not shown), theconnecting wall 402 extends between the two intersection points 404 atan angle with respect to the inner side wall 316 that is greater than45° and less than ninety degrees (90°).

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), each of the two rib sides 506may be oriented at right angles 510 with respect to the inner surface(s)324. In yet another embodiment (not shown), each of the two rib sides506 are oriented at angles 510 with respect to the inner surface(s) 324that are greater than 90° and less than 180°. In still other embodiments(not shown), each of the two rib sides 506 may be oriented at angles 510with respect to the inner surface(s) 324 that are greater than 0° andless than 90°. In some embodiments (not shown), the angle 510 that afirst rib side 506 makes with respect to the inner surface 324 may notbe equal to the angle 510 made by a second rib side 506 with respect tothe inner surface 324. Moreover, in an alternative embodiment (notshown), the tip(s) 504 of one or more of the plurality of ribs 502 isnot rounded, but rather forms a point (e.g., an apex) defined by theintersection of the two rib sides 506. In another embodiment (notshown), the tip(s) 504 of one or more of the plurality of ribs 502 aresubstantially flat and thus define a plane extending along the length ofthe rib 502.

The corner member 204 is formed in an L-shape with the two leg portions314 oriented at a right angle 408. Each of the two leg portions 314extends away from the corner portion 312 by the same distance and thetwo leg portions 314 also have equivalent widths (e.g., a distancebetween the parallel inner 316 and outer 318 side walls). The embodimentshown in FIG. 4 is thus symmetrical along each of the x, y, and z-axesshown in FIG. 3. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the cornermember 204 metal extrusion 310 is not symmetrically formed with respectto at least one of the x, y, and z-axes. In one such other embodiment(not shown), a first of the two leg portions 314 extends away from thecorner portion 312 by a distance that is not equal to the distance bywhich a second of the two leg portions 314 extends away from the cornerportion 312. In another embodiment (not shown), the width of the firstof the two leg portions 314 is not equal to the width of the second ofthe two leg portions 314.

In another embodiment (not shown), the frame 202 (shown in FIG. 2) isnot rectangular. In these embodiments, the corner member 204 metalextrusion 310 is not L-shaped and the two leg portions 314 are notoriented with respect to one another at a right angle 408. In one suchembodiment, the two leg portions 314 are oriented at an angle 408 ofgreater than 0° and less than 90°. In another such embodiment, the twoleg portions 314 are oriented at an angle 408 of greater than 90° andless than one-hundred-eighty degrees (180°).

One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, in either ofthe cases where the corner member 204 is symmetrically formed withrespect to each of the x, y, and z-axes, or where the corner member 204metal extrusion 310 is not symmetrically formed with respect to at leastone of the x, y, and z-axes, the general assembly steps for the frame202, and the principals of operation and benefits thereof remainsubstantially the same. Likewise, one having ordinary skill in the artwill also appreciate that, in either of the cases where the frame 202 isrectangular or where the frame 202 takes on a different shape including,for example, a polygonal shape not having four sides, the assembly of,and the principals of operation and benefits of the frame 202 and itsconstituent parts remain substantially the same as described herein.

Manufacturers, vendors, users, and other entities benefit from theinclusion of surface features 334 on at least one of the inner surfaces324 of at least one of the two leg portions 314 of the corner member 204metal extrusion 310. As compared to the known frame 102 shown in FIG. 1,the surface features 334 facilitate longer operating lifetimes of theframe 202 by mitigating loosening of contact points between the end(s)(210, 212) and the corner member(s) 204. In frame 202 embodimentsincluding fastener(s) 352, washer(s) 354 and/or nut(s) 356, the surfacefeatures 334 also mitigate loosening of these and like fasteningcomponents during use and storage of the frame 202. Furthermore, byreducing the tendency of the end(s) (210, 212) to rotate under torquerelative to the corner member(s) 204 in the assembled frame 202, thesurface features 334 facilitate reducing wear of the ends (210, 212)and/or the corner member 204 metal extrusion(s) 310. The aboveadvantages flowing from the inclusion of surface features 334 on atleast one of the inner surfaces 324 of at least one of the two legportions 314 of the metal extrusion 310 thus provide a longer operatinglifetime to the frame 202, along with reduced maintenance times andcosts relative to the known frame 102 shown in FIG. 1. Additionalbenefits of including surface features 334 on at least one of the innersurfaces 324 of at least one of the two leg portions 314 of the cornermember 204 metal extrusion 310 shall be recognizable to persons of skillin the art in a multitude of applications which are not limited to theparticular embodiments discussed herein.

Referring again to FIG. 2, each of the corner members 204 of the frame202 preferably includes an L shaped base piece 214 coupled to and/orfitted into or upon an end of the corner member 204 which contacts, forexample, the floor 112. Base piece 214 may be formed in substantiallythe same size and shape as a cross-sectional shape of the corner member204, as shown in FIG. 4. Base piece 214 may also be formed of a materialof construction that is softer, more elastic and/or more pliable than arigid material of construction of the corner member 204. Users of frame202 embodiments having the base piece(s) 214 may thereby benefit bymitigating wear of the corner member(s) 204 and/or the floor 112 whichmay result from corner members 204 contacting the floor 112. Users offrame 202 embodiments having the base piece(s) 214 may also benefit frombeing able to accommodate the frame 202 to surfaces such as the floor112 that are not entirely flat. For example, at least one, but less thanfour base piece(s) 214 included in the frame 202 may have a differentthickness so as to mitigate wobbling of the frame 202 placed upon anuneven floor 112 that is not entirely flat (e.g., placing the frame 202partially upon a carpeted portion of the floor 112 and partially upon anuncarpeted portion of the floor 112). Base pieces 214 may also havevarying sizes (e.g., base piece 214 lengths relative to lengths of thecorner members 204) in embodiments of the frame 202 having cornermembers 204. Users of frame 202 embodiments having base pieces 214having varying lengths may benefit in like manner to the examplesdiscussed above, such accommodating the frame 202 to a floor 112 that isnot entirely flat.

One or more of the corner members 204 of the frame 202 may also includea cap piece 216 coupled to and/or fitted into or upon an upper end ofthe corner member 204 which does not contact, for example, the floor 112(e.g., the end that is distal the floor 112). Cap piece 216 may beformed in substantially the same size and shape as a cross-sectionalshape of the corner member 204, as shown in FIG. 4. Cap piece 216 mayalso be formed of a material of construction that is softer, moreelastic and/or more pliable than a material of construction of thecorner member 204. Users of frame 202 embodiments having the cappiece(s) 216 may benefit in a variety of ways. Some users may desire tostore the frame 202 leaned upright against a wall (not shown) and cappiece(s) 216 may mitigate wear upon the wall for frame(s) 202 stored inthis manner. For example, cap piece(s) 216 may also present a pleasingvisual appearance of the frame 202 to the user. Cap piece(s) 216 having,for instance, differing colors, may also facilitate identification oftwo or more frames 202 by one or more users. Also, cap piece(s) 216included in the frame 202 may prevent or mitigate discomfort or injuryto the user of frame 202 by, for example, providing a rounded, softerand/or brighter color as compared to a background color (e.g.,glow-in-the-dark). Such embodiments of frame 202 having cap piece(s) 216having characteristics such of those described above facilitate users'ability to identify, locate and/or safely and comfortably enjoy theframe 202 during activities attendant to, for example, exercising on areformer incorporating the frame 202. The cap pieces 216 preferably mayinclude features such as recesses or protrusions configured to engagecorresponding features on the bottom pieces 214 so as to facilitatestacking of one reformer frame 202 atop another reformer frame 202.

Manufacturers, vendors, users, and other entities benefit from theinclusion of corner members 204 in the frame 202 in a variety oftangible ways. Corner members 204 may enable more modular design andassembly methods to be employed for frames 202 as compared to knownframes 102 (e.g., as included in the known reformer 100 shown in FIG.1). Corner members 204 included in frames 202 may also facilitateas-needed replacement and/or exchange of component parts of frame 202with lower time and cost as compared to known frames 102. Still morebenefits shall be recognizable to persons of skill in the art in amultitude of applications which are not limited to the particularembodiments discussed herein.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate that thesurface features 334 may be formed in a variety of ways and in a varietyof shapes and sizes beside the ribs 502 shown in FIG. 5. For example,and without limitation, the surface features 334 may be formed as aplurality of raised bumps and/or ridges projecting away from the innersurfaces 324 into the space(s) 328. Also, for instance, the surfacefeatures 334 may include pyramidal, polygonal, conical, frusto-conical,cylindrical, rectangular, and/or other cubic projections extending awayfrom the inner surfaces 324 into the space(s) 328. The corner member 204metal extrusion 310 inner surface(s) 324 may therefore include surfacefeatures 334 including any combination of any number of one or aplurality of surface feature(s) 334 having shapes and sizes tofacilitate accomplishing the several benefits as described herein, andstill other benefits recognizable to one of skill in the art in amultitude of applications other than as related to particularembodiments discussed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A corner member for joining a side member to oneof a head and a foot member of a rectangular frame having parallel sidemembers joining the head and foot members, the corner member comprising:a single elongated hollow metal extrusion having, in cross section, acentral corner portion and two leg portions each extending from thecentral corner portion at a right angle to the other leg portion, eachleg portion having an inner side wall spaced from an outer side wallparallel to the inner side wall and merging with the central cornerportion, and an outer end wall joining the inner and outer side walls;the inner and outer side walls each having an inner surface facing theinner surface of the other side wall, and a rectangular opening throughthe outer end wall defining a space between the inner and outer sidewalls adjacent one end of the extrusion for receiving one end of one ofthe frame side members and end members; wherein at least one of theinner surfaces of the side walls in the space has discrete rigid surfacefeatures adapted to grip and retain the one end of one of the sidemembers and end members in the space when received through the opening;and wherein the central corner portion has a circular cross sectionportion tangent to each outer side wall and a straight inner connectingwall joining the inner side wall of each leg portion.
 2. The cornermember of claim 1, wherein at least one of the two leg portions has atleast one pair of holes defined through the inner and outer side walls.3. The corner member of claim 2, wherein the at least one pair of holesare adapted to receive a fastener therethrough to fasten the one end ofone of the side members and end members in the space.
 4. The cornermember of claim 1, wherein the surface features include a plurality ofribs extending across the opening.
 5. The corner member of claim 1,wherein each leg portion further includes a corner wall joining theinner and outer side walls.
 6. The corner member of claim 5, wherein atleast one of the corner wall, the outer end wall, the inner side wall,and the outer side wall includes a screw race.
 7. A corner member foruse in a rectangular frame having two parallel side members each joiningone of a head end member and a foot end member, each corner membercomprising: a single elongated hollow metal extrusion having an axisand, in cross section, a central corner portion and two leg portionseach extending from the central portion at a right angle to the otherleg portion, each leg portion having an inner side wall spaced from anouter side wall parallel to the inner side wall and merging with thecentral portion, and an outer end wall joining the inner and outer sidewalls; the inner and outer side walls each having an inner surfacefacing the inner surface of the other side wall, and a rectangularopening through the outer end wall defining a space between the innerand outer side walls adjacent one end of the extrusion for receiving oneend of one of the side members and end members; wherein at least one ofthe inner surfaces of the side walls in the space has discrete rigidsurface features adapted to engage the one end of one of the sidemembers and end members in the space when received through the opening;and wherein the central corner portion has a circular cross sectionportion tangent to each outer side wall and a straight inner connectingwall joining the inner side wall of each leg portion.
 8. The cornermember of claim 7, wherein at least one of the two leg portions has atleast one pair of holes defined through the inner and outer side walls.9. The corner member of claim 8, wherein the at least one pair of holesare adapted to receive a fastener therethrough to fasten the one end ofone of the side members and end members in the space.
 10. The cornermember of claim 7, wherein the surface features include a plurality ofribs extending along the inner surface of at least one of the inner wallor the outer wall.
 11. The corner member of claim 7, wherein each legportion further includes a corner wall joining the inner and outer sidewalls.
 12. The corner member of claim 11, wherein at least one of thecorner wall, the outer end wall, the inner side wall, and the outer sidewall includes a screw race.
 13. The corner member according to claim 7wherein the surface features are on each of the inner surfaces of theinner wall and the outer wall.
 14. The corner member according to claim10 wherein the ribs extend along the surface parallel to the extrusionaxis.